Alibaba: direct ordering without getting quote from seller?

Hi brains trust - I'm considering a DIY battery build using cells purchased from Alibaba.

I've noticed that on some listings you Start order request and the site offers an initial price with shipping to be negotiated with the seller.

However on some other listings you simply Start order and it has an item price with shipping already quoted. You then select Continue to order and you are directed to an Alibaba shopping cart with your Shipping address, summary of your order including an estimated shipping time then you have a variety of options to pay. This method appears to bypass the quoting stage and places the order directly. (I've attached a screenshot for reference, in this case it the seller is Docan Technology (shenzhen) Co., Ltd)

Can I ask what happens if you go ahead and place an order using this method, is it risky - Is your money tied up in the system if the seller claims that the price is wrongly advertised?

I'm new to ordering from Alibaba and realise that usually if a price "is too good to be true", usually means that it is! or have I just found a good deal and count myself lucky and place an order?

Thanks for any advice!

You will never get a proper quote without talking to someone. S&H rates are "GUESSTIMATED" and Not Accurate by any means. They do need to know where exactly it is going so they can work it out. A chat session is also a record of your interactions, the questions you ask & the answers you get and it is prudent to have that Discussion Trail.

Look at at least 3 Known Good Vendors and get quotes from each. Make NO ASSUMPTIONS and get clear statements. Also understand that many will be using translators, so keep the language simple & easy - 1 question per sentence otherwise things can get confusing and you may not get answers.

Most of us pay Alibaba Vendors with Credit Card, some folks use PayPal but I'm not sure how that is working out these days, there have been changes at PP. A few of us have been working with Know Good Trusted Vendors for a few years and will use TT Direct Transfer payments.

3 Vendors that are known here....

Steve_S said:

Look at at least 3 Known Good Vendors and get quotes from each.

Click to expand...

Thanks Steve for your informative reply. I was unaware of Gobel Power and now I've been watching the reviews/tests from Off Grid Garage
Andy seems very enthusiastic about global as a supplier so I will include them in my research. I've reached out also to both the other vendors for a comparative quote. I'm looking forward to what may be the first of many solar battery builds.